Sofiene Zaaboub’s biography, net worth, fact, career, awards and life story

Sofiene Zaaboub (born 23 January 1983 in Montereau-Fault-Yonne) is a French-Algerian football player who currently plays for USM Annaba in the Algerian Ligue Professionnelle 1. He has become renowned for wearing gloves regardless of the weather conditions.

Club career

Prior to joining USM Annaba he played for ASA Montereau, AS Saint-Étienne, Modena, Sora, Real Jaén, FC Brussels and Swindon Town, Walsall and ES Sétif

Swindon Town

Zaaboub was Paul Sturrock’s first signing as Town manager and signed on a short term deal in November 2006 after leaving FC Brussels, just a few days after Sturrock had arrived at the club. Prior to joining Swindon he had many trials at higher-level clubs – including Úbeda CF, Preston North End, Swansea City, Plymouth Argyle, Luton Town, Dundee and FC Metz, but his longest trial was at Sturrock’s former club Sheffield Wednesday. He scored his first and what turned out to be only Swindon goal in a 2–1 win over Wrexham on 13 January 2007.

End of reign at the County Ground

Due to the reinforcement made to the Swindon Town side with the likes of Anthony McNamee running an un-touchable string of games on the left for the Robins, Zaaboub was deemed surplus to the requirements of the club. Unable to break into the first team, the 2006/07 fans´ favourite was told in March 2008 his contract would not be renewed and at the end of the season would be forced to find a new club.

Walsall

Zaaboub completed a move to Walsall in July 2008 and became Walsall’s fourth signing of the summer. He suffered injuries to his back and groin in the pre-season and was unable to break into the first team on his return. However, he resolved to keep up his fitness and try his best in training to gain a first team place, he did gain his place back with a number of superb displays down the left wing, he quickly became a favourite with the fans

On 7 July 2009, Walsall manager Chris Hutchings revealed that Zaaboub had left the club. Hutchings told the official website: “”I received a phone call late on Wednesday from Sofiene informing me that another club wanted to take him on a three-day trial. He was told that if he did not report for training as agreed his contract offer would be taken away as I only want people here who are committed to the club.”

Southend United

On 16 July 2010, Zaaboub signed a one-year contract Southend United. Zaaboub struggled for fitness and on 3 January 2011 had his contract cancelled by mutual consent after just three league appearances for The Shrimpers.

ES Sétif

On 6 January 2011, Zaaboub signed an 18-month contract with Algerian club ES Sétif.

Honours

• ES Sétif
  • Algerian Cup: 2011–12
  • Algerian Ligue Professionnelle 1: 2011–12